Functional Skills English – Entry Level 3

Overview

The course focuses on developing essential functional skills in English, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. It aims to equip learners with the tools they need to confidently communicate, understand, and interact with others in a range of real-life situations.

Speaking and Listening Skills: Learners will enhance their speaking and listening skills through a variety of engaging activities and exercises. They will practice expressing themselves clearly and effectively, engaging in conversations, and delivering presentations. Emphasis will be placed on developing fluency, pronunciation, and effective communication strategies. Additionally, learners will actively listen to spoken English in different contexts to improve their comprehension and understanding.

Reading Skills: The course will strengthen learners' reading skills by focusing on comprehension and interpretation. They will learn strategies to understand a variety of texts, such as articles, instructions, emails, and short stories. Through guided exercises, learners will develop their ability to extract relevant information, identify main ideas, and comprehend the overall meaning of written materials.

Writing Skills: Learners will develop their writing skills by practicing different types of written communication. They will learn how to construct clear and coherent sentences, paragraphs, and texts. The course will cover various forms of writing, including formal and informal letters, emails, reports, and descriptive passages. Attention will be given to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, enabling learners to produce well-structured and accurate written work.

At this level, once you have completed the course you will be able to:

Listen and respond

• Listen for and follow the gist of explanations, instructions and narratives in different contexts
• Listen for detail in explanations, instructions and narratives in different contexts
• Listen for and identify relevant information and new information from discussions, explanations and presentations
• Use strategies to clarify and confirm understanding (e.g. facial expressions or gestures)
• Listen to and respond appropriately to other points of view
• Respond to a range of questions about familiar topics

Speak to communicate

• Speak clearly to be heard and understood using appropriate clarity, speed and phrasing
• Use formal language and register when appropriate
• Express clearly statements of fact and give short explanations, accounts and descriptions
• Make requests and ask questions to obtain information in familiar and unfamiliar contexts

Engage in discussion

• Follow and understand the main points of discussions on different topics
• Make contributions to discussions that are relevant to the subject
• Respect the turn-taking rights of others during discussions

Reading comprehension

• Trace and understand the main events of chronological, continuous descriptive and explanatory texts of more than one paragraph
• Recognise the different purposes of texts at this level
• Recognise and understand the organisational features and typical language of instructional texts (e.g. use of imperatives and second person)
• Identify the main points and ideas, and predict words from context
• Understand and use organisational features to locate information (e.g. contents, index, menus)
• Skim read title, headings and illustrations to decide if material is of interest
• Scan texts to locate information
• Obtain specific information through detailed reading
• Relate an image to print and use it to obtain meaning

Writing composition

• Plan and draft writing
• Organise writing in short paragraphs
• Sequence chronological writing
• Proof-read and correct writing for grammar and spelling

Grammar and punctuation

• Recognise and understand the organisational features and typical language of instructional texts (e.g. use of imperatives, second person)
• Use implicit and explicit knowledge of different types of words (e.g. linking words [connectives], nouns, verbs, adjectives), of word order, and of possible plausible meanings, to help decode unfamiliar words and predict meaning
• Use punctuation and capitalisation to aid understanding
• Write in complete sentences
• Use correct basic grammar (e.g. appropriate verb tense, subject-verb agreement)
• Use punctuation correctly (e.g. capital letters, full stops, question marks, exclamation marks)

Vocabulary, word recognition and phonics

• Recognise and understand relevant specialist keywords
• Read and understand words and phrases commonly used in forms
• Use a dictionary to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
• Use first- and second-place letters to find and sequence words in alphabetical order
• Use a variety of reading strategies to help decode an increasing range of unfamiliar words

Spelling and handwriting

• Spell correctly common words and relevant keywords for work and special interest
• Use their developing knowledge of sound-symbol relationships and phonological patterns to help spell a greater range of words and longer words, as appropriate for the needs of the learner
• Produce legible text

The course places a strong emphasis on the application of English language skills in practical, functional contexts. Learners will acquire the necessary vocabulary, grammar, and language conventions to navigate everyday situations, such as filling out forms, reading timetables, understanding public announcements, and participating in social interactions. They will also develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling them to analyse information, make reasoned judgments, and express opinions confidently.

Throughout the course, learners will receive guidance and support from experienced instructors who will provide constructive feedback on their progress. They will have access to a range of learning resources, including textbooks, online materials, and interactive exercises, to enhance their learning experience.

By successfully completing the Certificate in Functional Skills in English (Entry Level 3), learners will have acquired a solid foundation in English language skills, enabling them to pursue further education, enhance employability prospects, and confidently engage with English-speaking communities

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